Youth deer hunt Nov. 23-24

COLUMBUS – Ohio’s young hunters have the opportunity to pursue white-tailed deer during the state’s 11th annual youth white-tailed deer hunting season on Nov. 23-24, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The youth deer-gun season is open statewide to hunters holding a valid youth hunting license and a deer permit. Deer can be hunted with a plugged shotgun using slugs, a muzzleloader .38 caliber or larger, a handgun .357 caliber or larger and bows during these two days.

Youth hunters checked 9,178 deer in 2012 and at least 8,300 deer in the two-day season every year since 2005.

New this year, hunting time is extended 30 minutes for all deer seasons, including the youth deer season. Deer can be hunted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

All participants must wear hunter orange, possess a valid Ohio youth hunting license as well as a deer permit, and they must be accompanied in the field by a non-hunting adult. One adult may accompany no more than two youth hunters.

Youth hunters can commemorate their achievement with a First Harvest certificate, available at wildohio.com